Kentucky's service and infrastructure expansion (kysix) initiative - kentucky, like the rest of the nation, is in the midst of a child/youth BH crisis

In addition to world-wide pandemic, heightened political discord; BH workforce shortages; and racial injustices, KY families have experienced state-specific stressors: multiple natural disasters; a school shooting; escalating community and gun-related youth violence; and the continuing impact of the opioid/other substances crisis, many of these preceding the pandemic and national acknowledgement of this crisis. Despite a 30-year history of operating its behavioral health (BH) system for children/youth at a risk for or with a serious emotional disability (SED) and their families in accordance with the system of care (SOC) framework, kentucky's system of care is strained and unable to keep pace with current demands. To that end, the kentucky service & infrastructure expansion (KY six) initiative will expand the SOC infrastructure and service delivery to children/youth (birth to 18 years of age) at risk for or with SED and specifically those who have child welfare and/or justice involvement. Justice involvement includes those involved with the administrative office of the courts (AOC) and/or the department of juvenile justice (DJJ). Child welfare involvement includes those involved with the department for community based services/dcbs, (kentucky's child welfare agency), both in- and out-of-home. To maximize impact the geographic catchment are for KY six is statewide. In accordance with SOC values and principles, the KY six initiative will expand and enhance the SOC for the population of focus by (1) enhancing and sustaining kentucky's interagency governance bodies to support the implementation, expansion, and interpretation of the SOC approach; (2) conducting ongoing evaluation of implementation activities and engage in continuous quality improvement efforts to improve outcomes and reduce behavioral health disparities; (3) implement a comprehensive, multi-agency children's behavioral health plan for SOC expansion and sustainability; (4) promote resilience and retention within the workforce that serves the population of focus; (5) improve equitable availability of and access to culturally- and linguistically-responsive, evidence-based/evidence-informed practices in trauma and grief-informed behavioral health services for the population of focus, including marginalized and minoritized populations. KY six will serve 250 youth during the project period.